The Ashes Tour of Australia 2025/26

It's a good job that the test did end quickly as Atkinson pulled out of the test with a hamstring injury.

That left us with just Carse, Tongue and a semi fit Stokes on a quick bowler friendly wicket.

That's 3 off our quickies who have pulled out injured.

England need to find a reliable new ball pairing. Carse has fallen into the role but in almost every case he has taken the pressure off the Australian openers by bowling lose ball that are asking to get hit to the boundary. Potts will most likely come in, but unless there's a double change he'll be sharing it with Carse. No problem with the wicket taking ability of Carse, but just not with the new ball, Stokes would actually be a better option but its asking a lot of him.

I can honestly say that I've never felt so flat after an England Test Match victory than I have today. I think its because this whole series has been full of missed opportunity. The quality of Australia's sides throughout the series have been weaker than usual, England have just played well below their potential.

^ I would have to agree it is very flat, and certainly had been one series where there have been far too many missed opportunities by England and to be fair to Australia they exploited that very well.

England talked up a good game before the start of the series - but they certainly got a shock to the system when Australia bowled far more accurately when needed.

I think when they do come home, the inquest into this disastrous tour is going to hurt very deeply, and even though we've won this Test I don't think for one minute that will stop a few heads rolling, I'd be very surprised if Key or McCallum are still in a job. And if there are changes then I hope someone is appointed that can put England in a far better mood and attitude, as I think the bubble thing that has existed within the team needs to be well and truly burst and we need to move our players away from thinking 1/T20 'Bazball' shots all the time, and put in place, the proper Test match mentality that is very badly needed.

Whether we have a new team next summer or not it wouldn't also surprise me if several players will face the possibility of losing their place in in the team if their form doesn't improve, and certainly Pope is one of them for me. Brook has to be told he needs to step away from the team for a period of time and sort his game and mentality out, as we need him in a far better solid frame of mind that can stabilise that middle order better.

And I do think we have seen the last of Mark Wood on tour abroad, even if he does come back and have a good home series next summer I wonder if it will be too much of a risk and ask him to play on for the tour next winter

The ACB has now come under fire for the pitch it seems, and many fans not happy with the test being over in two days. Last year the Australia V India Boxing Day Test lasted a full five days, 40 wickets & 1,200 runs - quite a difference.

Going to be a very interesting final Test Saturday.

England can still restore pride and win lose the series 3-2, but I'm hoping also, that the wicket in Sydney, is far better than the one in Melbourne (which the ICC have now described as 'unsatisfactory') I hope the England players also realise that there is a lot on the line for the team too.

Usman Khawaja has announced that he will retire from International cricket after the Sydney Test Match.

England have named a 12 man squad for the 5th Test.
1. Crawley, 2. Duckett, 3. Bethell, 4. Root, 5. Brook, 6. Stokes ©, 7. Smith (WK), 8. Jacks, 9. Carse, 10. Potts, 11. Tongue, 12. Bashir

We've seen some shit England dismissals this Ashes. Jamie Smith to Marnus Labuschagne, 5th Test, Day 2 is the worst yet and that's really going some.

^^ I'd be seriously considering giving Jamie Smith some time away from the Test set up. Maybe look at Jordan Cox, or James Rew who would be a more traditional batsman who would score a consistent amount of runs.